Paraneoplastic neurologic syndromes (PNS) are rare in pediatrics and are understood to be consequences of cross-reactivity against various neuroendocrine antigens expressed on cancer cells. Here, we report a case of autoimmune encephalitis, a type of paraneoplastic neurologic syndrome that was associated with a case of adrenocortical carcinoma and had some clinical response to immunosuppressive therapy. Adrenocortical carcinoma is a rare tumor with controversial tissue of origin but expresses various neuroendocrine antigens that could be the possible mechanism for this rare yet interesting association.

Background: Childhood cancer survivors are 8.8 times more likely to die of pulmonary causes when compared to general population: an aspect of concern. Pulmonary dysfunction is the third leading cause of non recurrence related cause of death among Hodgkin lymphoma survivors. Methods: A cross section study on Hodgkin lymphoma survivors in complete remission, who completed treatment within last 5 years was done. All children were subjected to detail history including drugs, past history of respiratory illnesses, physical and respiratory system examination followed by spirometry and three minute step test under supervision. Pulmonary dysfunction was determined as presence of obstructive, restrictive or mixed pattern on spirometry or abnormality in three minute step test. Subclinical pulmonary dysfunction was determined as patients who were clinically asymptomatic but had pulmonary dysfunction Results: A total of 60 children were enrolled (Mean age of 11.3 years and 53 were boys) Abnormal pulmonary function tests were documented in 11 (18.3%) of HL survivors at a median time of 2 years (IQR 1,3) from treatment completion. Restrictive pattern was documented in 10 (16.67%) and obstructive pattern in only one patient (1.67%), mostly mild in severity. Older age at start of chemotherapy and radiotherapy and past history of respiratory illness were found to be significantly associated with pulmonary dysfunction. Conclusion: Majority of Hodgkin lymphoma survivors had subclinical pulmonary dysfunction at median follow up of 2 years from treatment completion. Hodgkin lymphoma survivors require long term follow up for timely detection of pulmonary dysfunction and improve quality of life.

Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic agent, with excellent analgesic properties and a favorable safety profile. Although it acts predominantly through NMDA receptor antagonism, numerous other molecular targets have been characterized, rendering anti-inflammatory, anti-depressant, and thus expanding its scope for new clinical applications. The noticeable safety of ketamine in children enables its widespread use in pediatric oncology, chiefly for procedural sedation. Its value for chronic pain management in children with cancer is being increasingly recognized but requires more evidence. The topical use of ketamine is largely in investigational stages.. Rational medical use of ketamine is largely free from significant long-term neurological side effects but may have some troublesome short-term effects such as vomiting, palpitations, urinary retention, and hallucinations. This review will provide a brief account of the pharmacology of ketamine and primarily focus on the relevant aspects of ketamine in pediatric oncology.

Background and aims: Oral mucositis (OM) is common and distressing toxicity in children on chemotherapy. There is limited number of safe and effective therapeutic options available for OM. Ketamine oral rinse has shown promising results in few studies in adults. This randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial aimed to test the efficacy of ketamine mouthwash in reducing chemotherapy-induced severe OM pain in children. Methods: Children aged 8-18 years with severe OM were randomized to a single dose of ketamine mouthwash (4 mg/ml solution; dose 1 mg/kg) or a placebo. A sample size of 44 patients was determined. Pain score (6-point faces scale) was noted at baseline and 15, 30, 45, 60, 120, 180, and 240 min. The outcome variables were a reduction in pain score, need for rescue medications, and adverse events. Results: The baseline characteristics were comparable in the two groups. The mean OM pain at 60 min decreased by 1.64 points (CI 1.13-2.14) in the ketamine group and 1.32 points (CI 0.76-1.87) in the placebo group (p=0.425), with a group difference of 0.32 points. Rescue pain medication (at 60 min) was required in 13.6% in the ketamine group and 18.2% in the placebo group (p=1.000). There were no significant adverse events observed. Conclusions: Among children on cancer chemotherapy with severe OM, ketamine mouthwash at a dose of 1 mg/kg did not significantly reduce OM pain. It did not decrease the need for rescue pain medications. Further research is warranted to test higher doses of ketamine for a clinically significant effect.